A pasta hack that is hailed as the best way to guarantee perfectly cooked pasta every time will also save you some cash – and even Nigella Lawson approves of it
Cooking pasta isn’t exactly difficult.
Many people would agree that pasta ranks among the simplest dishes to master – just boil water, toss in the pasta, and let it cook as per the packet’s instructions. But did you know there’s a different method that’s got professional chefs, including Nigella Lawson, buzzing?
It’s called “passive” cooking, and not only does it promise perfectly al dente pasta, but it also offers the perk of shaving a few pence off your energy bills by switching off the heat well before the pasta is done. As winter approaches and energy costs soar, this nifty trick has taken social media by storm.
A TikTok video from Brightly has been making waves, claiming that passive cooking can slash pasta-related CO2 emissions by a staggering 80% while conserving energy. So how does it work?
The video instructs: “First, bring your water to a boil. Once your water reaches boiling point, add your dry pasta and stir to prevent sticking. Cook for two minutes, switch off the heat, and cover. Then enjoy your perfectly cooked pasta the sustainable way.”
After boiling your pasta for just two minutes, you can switch off the heat, cover the pan, and let the hot water do the rest. The idea is that your pasta needs to sit in the water for as long as it says to cook it for on the packet.
Dubbed by household culinary queen Nigella Lawson as the “Vincenzo Agnesi method”, the hack also minimises the chance of overcooking the pasta – ideal when you’re juggling chores in the kitchen.
In one of her recipes, Nigella advises: “Once the water comes back to the boil, let the pasta cook for two minutes, then turn off the heat, cover the pan with a clean, thin tea towel (not a waffle-textured one) and clamp on a tight-fitting lid. Let the pasta stand like this for as long as the packet tells you to cook it normally.”
The method was also hailed by the pasta brand Barilla, which describes it in detail on its website and claims that it has been around since the mid-19th century.
Commenters online have even claimed the technique has “altered their lives”, as others said they won’t cook pasta any other way since discovering the money saving method.
One person said: “Would it be dramatic to say the ‘passive cooking’ method for making pasta has totally altered my life?” As another added: “I love this! Thanks for bringing it to my attention, I’m going to try it this week.”
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